| Research and action for sustainable consumption and green economy |  |
| Monday, 15 August 2011 11:12 | |||
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Representatives of the Ukrainian National Environmental NGO “MAMA-86”, jointly with the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Research Institute for Problems of Markets and Economic and Environmental Studies under the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and the “Green Dossier” International Charitable Organisation held a training seminar for journalists.
The aim of the seminar was presentation of practical developments by the partner organisations (UNENGO “MAMA-86”, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Research Institute for Problems of Markets and Economic and Environmental Studies under the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and the “Green Dossier” ICF), as well as invitation of journalists for long-term cooperation in the area of sustainable consumption and production (SCP), as well as “green economy”, to overcome environmental and economic crisis and development the most effective national development strategy. The event was opened by screening of “The Story of Stuff”, a movie by Annie Leonard, which tells about global environmental challenges and negative prospects caused by the consumerism chain. The film enjoyed a phenomenal success and audience response in various parts of the world, and promoted public discussion on alternative economies and cultures to the existing ones. Speakers presented reports on international and national aspects of sustainable development, sustainable consumption and production, “green economy” and activities by research organisations and public organisations in Ukraine aimed at spreading of ideas and tools for policies of environment-conscious ways for the society development. President of the UNENGO “MAMA-86” Mrs. Hanna Golubovska-Onisimova told that the event was prepared within the framework of the project “Action Town: Research and Action for Sustainable Consumption and Production”, which was implemented in partnership with an international consortium of research centres and public organisations supported by the 7th Research Framework Programme of the European Union. “It is the non-sustainable consumption, stimulating production of low-quality and environmentally harmful goods and services, that pushes the humankind into the abyss”, she emphasized. The project participants found that food, housing and transportation sectors are the least sustainable consumption spheres, which account for 70% of the global warming potential, and 65% of the total consumption of materials. The greatest contribution is connected with energy consumption. The main problem is related to the necessity to break the consumerism psychology, rooted in the way of life. Swedish scientists, for example, have proven that the most energy-consuming types of human activities – travelling in personal automobiles, work/occupation and house work – bring the least satisfaction, and to the contrary – inter-personal communication, sports, sex, which do not require energy from external sources – bring people the greatest happiness. “Ukraine’s policy in the area of sustainable consumption and production must be focused on the economic growth support and creation of a competitive market-driven economy, improvement of the national economy structure on the basis of an innovative development model, and considerable reduction of the GDP energy intensity”, asserts Mrs. Tetyana Galushkina, Doctor of Economics, Professor of the Odessa Environmental University, chief research associate at the Research Institute for Problems of Markets and Economic and Environmental Studies under the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The key tool in the “green economy” is the mechanism of “correct pricing”, or the fullest account of environmental expenditures in market prices, especially on natural resources, as well as discontinuation of subsidies for harmful industry sectors, from the environmental perspective, and an increase in prices on raw materials within the nearest future. “Over the recent time, Ukraine has made a huge step towards a “greener” development”, says Mr. Volodymyr Bilokon, Cand. Sc. (Biology), Head of Department for Environmental Policy and Strategic Planning at the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine. – “On December 21, 2010, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the Law of Ukraine “On the main principles (Strategy) of the state environmental policy for the period until the year 2020”. The strategic goal of the national environmental policy is stabilisation and improvement of condition of Ukraine’s national environment through gradual reaching the national environmental policy goals as an integral factor of Ukraine's sustainable development to guarantee ecologically safe natural environment for people’s life and health, and to introduce an environmentally balanced system of management of natural resources. The main tool for implementation of the Strategy is the National Environmental Action Plan for years 2011–2015 (hereinafter referred to as NEAP), adopted on May 25, 2011 by Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 577-r. Development of the Strategy and the NEAP is an important precondition for receiving the EU budget support for Ukraine’s nature-protection sector and defines the main principles of “green development” into the state environmental policy of Ukraine. The state environmental policy strategy envisages preparation and submission for consideration by the CMU of the Strategy for implementation of a 10-year SCP (Sustainable Consumption and Production) framework policy in 2012, and in 2013 – the National Action Plan for SCP. By doing so, Ukraine will finally fulfil its obligations under the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002), and be ready to report at the Rio+20 World Conference in 2012. While working on those documents it is necessary to realise and apply the EU experience in implementation of its own SCP Action Plan, as well as the Integrated policy for production where use of environmental management and audit systems, as well as encouragement of green procurement, are important components. The main policy tools that Ukraine needs to start with, according to the NEAP, are the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental accounting. Global changes begin with local and individual actions. “Sustainable consumption and production begins with every one of us. We choose products in stores or markets. Let’s pay attention to labels and markings and buy those items that were made by local producers, with a careful attitude towards the environment!” called Mrs. Tamara Malkova, Director of the Green Dossier Information Centre. “To what extent are we ready, as early as now, in a practical and reasonable way, to minimise our demands in the sphere of consumption and to implement a civilised transition to personal and social life based on the green economy axioms? What do we need for that? How can we create, as early as now, successful practices of local green economies? These are the matters that are of concern for public organisations that work with communities and try to study and implement an environmentally friendly lifestyle”, summarised Mrs. Olga Tsygulyova, Cand. Sc. (Chemistry), Head of the Board of the UNENGO “MAMA-86” Coordination Board. After questions and answers, the participating journalists were awarded certificates. Additional materials:
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